10 Everyday Uses for Oregano Essential Oil

A little trivia about Oregano

Oregano leaves and dried oregano

Oregano is a member of the mint family and is a bushy, perennial herb. Although it is native to Europe, it can also be found in many other areas around the world. The oregano plant can grow to be 35 inches tall with dark, green leaves.

In ancient times, crowning a couple to be married with a wreath of oregano leaves was to bring them lifelong happiness. Today, oregano oil’s antiviral, antibacterial, antifungal, antioxidant, anti-imflammatory and antiparasitic properties are a huge benefit to the health of our population.

Using Oregano Essential Oil in your Everyday Life

Powerful Antiseptic: Make a cleaning spritzer for your kitchen or other surfaces by mixing 8 to 10 drops each of oregano and lemon essential oils in a small glass sprayer bottle. Fill the remainder of the bottle with distilled water. Shake before each use and spritz away. Clean and shiny countertops await you.

Insect Repellent: Ants and cockroaches detest the scent of oregano essential oil. Place a few drops of oregano oil on cotton balls and leave in cupboards. No more unwelcome visitors.

Immune System Boost: During cold and flu season, add 3 drops of oregano essential oil to an empty veggie gel capsule and take twice daily. Oregano oil can boost your immune system and thus, make your days of feeling “under the weather” short lived.*Caution: All essential oils are not created equal. Not all essential oils can be ingested. Make sure that the oils you are using are certified pure therapeutic grade and the label indicates that it/they are safe to take internally.

Natural Pesticide: An oregano plant in your garden will tend to keep insects away from your other nearby plants (and it is aromatic as well). You can make a natural “pesticide” to spray on your plants when you do not have an oregano plant in your garden. Mix a teaspoon of oregano oil with 5 drops of dishwashing liquid in a half gallon spray can. Spray on your plants and never worry about adding harmful chemicals to your garden.

Slow Down that Aging Process: Oxidation and free radicals have a big effect on the aging process. Oregano essential oil is a known antioxidant and this aid to your defense system will help to slow down these accelerators to aging. Make the use of oregano oil part of your daily life.

Sore Muscles and Joints: Oregano essential oil diluted with a carrier oil such as fractionated coconut oil or sweet almond oil and massaged into the sore muscle or joint will offer relief of the pain.

*Note:Oregano essential oil is a “HOT” oil and can give a strong burning sensation to the skin. Always dilute oregano oil with a carrier oil, such as fractionated coconut oil , olive oil or other natural oil. It is wise to test on a small area of your skin to check for sensitivity prior to use over a larger area.

Warts and Skin Tags: In a glass rollerball bottle, mix equal parts of oregano essential oil and fractionated coconut oil. Twice daily, rub on the wart or skin tag. In a couple of weeks the skin tags will drop off and warts will shrink considerably or may be totally gone.

Foot Care:

Athlete’s Foot: Apply a diluted mix of oregano essential oil and fractionated coconut oil to the affected areas of the toes and feet three times daily to alleviate athlete’s foot.

Nail Fungus: Mix 2 drops of oregano essential oil with fractionated coconut oil and rub onto nail and the nail bed. You could also add a teaspoon of oregano essential oil to a basin of warm water to soak the feet. Repeat daily.

Acne: Make a mix of equal drops of oregano essential oil and fractionated coconut oil. Dip a Q-tip into the mix and dab onto a pimple or acne spot twice daily.

*Note: Dogs have an extremely acute sense of smell – much higher than any human – and are highly sensitive to scents. Always let your dog sniff any essential oil that you wish to use for his health prior to applying. He will run off quickly if he has an aversion to this oil.

Add a couple of drops of oregano oil to a teaspoon of cod liver oil and add to your dog’s food to help rid him of these parasites and/or intestinal worms.

Dilute a couple of drops of oregano oil with a carrier oil (such as fractionated coconut oil or olive oil) and rub on your dog where there is loss of fur due to hot spots, ringworm or mange.

To control fleas and other skin parasites, add a teaspoon of oregano oil to a gallon of warm water as a final rinse when bathing your dog.